As Pride month comes to an end, so does this series. If you have read this far, thank you for staying with me. If you are just happening upon this final installment, I invite you to find Part 1 and work your way back to this point.
Over this month, I have received many kind messages and comments. Please know the love and support are deeply appreciated. There have also been a few (and it has been very few) unkind responses.
Several people have asked why I wrote this series. Their questions did not carry a judgmental tone, but a curious one. (A subtle nod to Ted Lasso.)
This series was birthed from a few desires, both personal and comunal in nature.
Selfishly, I wanted to tell my story. We all want to be seen, at least most of us do. After hiding this part of who I am for fifty years, there was a desire to share this part of me.
One of my mottos is, I don’t care if you know my story, as long as I am the one telling it. This is a way to lean into that mantra.
However, the primary purpose for writing this series was for anyone else who needed to hear its message. Messages, comments, and conversations confirmed what I already suspected; there are many people out there who have had similar feelings and experiences.
None of them probably look identical to mine, but the themes explored here echo through the lives of countless people.
These words are first and foremost for them. If you have wrestled with or struggled through or triumphed over anything you’ve read here, you are not alone; you have at least one supportive companion on the journey.
If this hasn’t resonated with you, I’m fairly confident it has with someone you know and love. There may well be someone in your life carrying similar hidden parts of who they are, fearing to step into the light for fear of what might happen.
If you are offended, upset, or disgusted by what you have read, first of all, thank you for sticking it out and finishing. I appreciate your willingness to follow along in your discomfort.
I also welcome you to continue the conversation. Find those you disagree with, grab a cup of coffee, and invite them to share their stories. Share yours, too.
The goal here has never been to change anyone’s mind. Rather than convincing someone I am right, my intent is to offer my perspective. What someone does with it, that’s their prerogative.
We should be continually growing and changing; that’s part of life. Today, I am one day closer to the end of my life than yesterday, and seeing the next sunset isn’t guaranteed. Taking another step towards death is impossible to avoid. But, taking one step closer to living more fully is a choice.
Today, I make that next step, seeking to bring kindness to those I love, those I struggle against, and those I’ve never met.
If I’ve learned anything from my journey of exploring my sexuality, it’s that life is more rainbow than black and white, and the more we learn to see the diverse, expansive spectrum of colors life offers, the more fully we can embrace all of its wonder.
Breaking Into Peace 